How to Make Amazing Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Quick answer: to make cold brew at home, combine coarse-ground coffee and cold water at about a 1:4 ratio (for concentrate), steep 12–24 hours in the fridge or at room temperature, then strain. Dilute the concentrate with water or milk over ice to taste. It’s smoother, richer, and less acidic than iced coffee — and the concentrate keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Cold brew is a game-changer: incredibly easy to make, and far more flavorful than watered-down iced coffee. Here’s the simple base recipe, plus four flavored drinks to build on it.

What You’ll Need

• Coffee: freshly ground beans on a coarse setting (like coarse sand). Not sure on grind? See our grind size chart — or just tell us you’re making cold brew and we’ll grind it for you. Browse our beans.
• Water: cold, filtered water for the cleanest flavor.
• A vessel: a French press is ideal (the plunger filters for you), but any large jar works — just strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth.

How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate (Step by Step)

1. Combine coffee and water at a 1:4 ratio — for example, 1 cup of coarse grounds to 4 cups of cold water for a concentrate.
2. Stir to make sure all the grounds are saturated.
3. Steep 12–24 hours in the fridge or at room temperature. Overnight is easy: set it up before bed and strain in the morning.
4. Strain — press the plunger if using a French press, then pour through a fine-mesh sieve or filter to catch the fines.
5. Dilute and serve. Mix the concentrate with cold water or milk over ice. A 1:2 concentrate-to-water ratio is a good starting point; use 1:3 for a milder cup.

The concentrate keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. No fridge on hand? See how to make cold brew without a fridge.

Four Cold Brew Recipes to Try

Salted Caramel Cold Brew with Cold Foam

1. Mix 5 oz cold brew with 1 oz caramel sauce.
2. Add ice to your glass and pour in the cold brew mixture.
3. Make cold foam: whisk about 4 oz of cold whole milk or creamer with a hand frother until frothy (add cinnamon or vanilla first for extra flavor).
4. Pour the foam over the ice and coffee, drizzle with caramel, and finish with a pinch of salt (Pink Himalayan salt looks great).

Vanilla Cold Brew

1. Mix 5 oz cold brew with 2 tablespoons French vanilla powder or vanilla creamer.
2. Add ice to your glass and pour in the mixture.
3. Make cold foam with about 4 oz whole milk (oat milk is a great alternative) and pour over the top.

Chocolate Cold Brew with Vanilla Cold Foam

1. Mix 5 oz cold brew with 1 oz chocolate sauce (a handheld frother works great).
2. Add ice to your glass and pour in the mixture.
3. Make vanilla cold foam: froth about 4 oz whole milk with ¼ cup vanilla powder.
4. Pour the foam over the ice and coffee, then drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Berk’s Cold Brew Lemonade

1. Mix 5 oz cold brew with 5 oz of your favorite lemonade.
2. Add ice to your glass and pour in the mixture.
3. Optionally top with vanilla cold foam (froth 4 oz whole milk or vanilla creamer).
4. Garnish with a lemon slice or a mint leaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew?

About 1:4 for a concentrate you’ll dilute later, or 1:8 if you want ready-to-drink cold brew straight from the jar. Adjust to taste.

How long should cold brew steep?

12 to 24 hours. Around 16–18 hours hits a nice balance; steeping too long can turn it bitter.

How long does cold brew last?

Cold brew concentrate keeps up to two weeks in the fridge. Once diluted with water or milk, it’s best within a few days.

Is cold brew stronger than iced coffee?

Usually, yes — cold brew is made as a concentrate and tends to be higher in caffeine and smoother. See cold brew vs iced coffee for the full comparison.

Made your own masterpiece? Tag @berksbeanscoffee on Instagram or post it on our Facebook page. Start with fresh beans — shop our coffee, roasted to order in Concord, CA.